SANFORD, Fla. -- A judge in the case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of shooting Florida teenager Trayvon Martin has denied a defense request to delay the trial.

George Zimmerman's attorneys presented a motion Tuesday asking Judge Debra Nelson to push the trial from mid-June back to November. They say the prosecutor has been slow in turning over needed evidence. The state attorney denied the accusation.

Judge Debra Nelson noted Zimmerman's lead attorney had been in the case nearly a year and says the problems he's having getting evidence are not insurmountable.

Zimmerman is claiming he acted in self-defense in shooting Martin last year and has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder.

Zimmerman' s attorney Mark O'Mara said after the hour hearing, "I want to try this case once. Mr. Zimmerman deserves the 6th Amendment right to fair trial and that takes time."

O'Mara said money to hire experts is becoming an issue and going to the state for assistance he says is not being ruled out.

In historic Goldsboro in Sanford where Trayvon Martin's memorial has a home, a community banded together for peace.

Singers and speakers spoke of the need to stop the violence. Posters served as reminders that today was Trayvon's 18th birthday.

"The message is stop the violence," said Laura Bussey, who attended the four hour events just blocks away from the Sanford Police Department.

Family attorney Benjamin Crump told reporters today was a very emotional day for Trayvon's family.